President's Cookbook
Getting ready for a spooky time, WaCPAC-style

Local organization to present Haunted Wayne County, telling the ghost stories of local residents

By LYDIA GEHRING
Living EditorPublished: October 10, 2012 4:00AM

WOOSTER -- For 30 years, the Wayne County Performing Arts Council has entertained the community with its theatrical performances and more. As Halloween nears, a new act will take the stage to get audiences geared up for a spooky season.

On Oct. 19, 20 and 21, WaCPAC will present Haunted Wayne County, as ghost stories of the local community are brought to life at the Wooster Masonic Lodge.

"Over the past year, the Wayne County Performing Arts Council has been interviewing Wayne County citizens and gathering their tales of ghosts, hauntings and other paranormal experiences," explained WaCPAC President Tiffany Noe. "These stories were then translated into a play script."

Another new addition to the organization will be the Big Band Boogie Woogie, set for Nov. 10, 7 p.m., at Wooster's Knights of Columbus. A 17-piece big band from WaCPAC's production of its "1940s Radio Hour" will perform, under the direction of Randy Claes, featuring the sounds of the 1930s, '40s and '50s.

"Hop up on that dance floor and swing the night away, or sit back, relax and enjoy the music," Noe said. "This is an event you do not want to miss."

Tickets for the Big Band Boogie Woogie are available at www.wacpac.org for $10 each; groups of eight or more will receive a $1 per ticket discount. Discount tickets must be ordered ahead of time and Noe said WaCPAC anticipates them selling out quickly.

The family-friendly organization was founded in 1982 by a group of Wayne County community members who had a desire to provide performing arts opportunities and entertainment in the area, Noe said. Run entirely by volunteers, WaCPAC offers musical theater, murder mysteries, open mic nights, its annual Battle of the Bands in May, youth theater productions and competitions, and much more, she said.

"Everyone is welcome to volunteer at no charge," Noe said. "We always need actors and actresses, singers, dancers, lighting and sound techs, stage crew, seamstresses, carpenters, ushers and more. There is a place for every talent and personality in WaCPAC."

A longtime fan of the performing arts, Noe has a passion for singing and acting. She has been performing in theater and singing since she was 10 years old, she said.

"I also spent a large amount of my youth studying ballet, tap and interpretative dance," Noe said. "Over the last two years, I have also discovered the joy of directing plays for the youth."

She has lived in Creston most of her life, currently making it her home with her two sons, Patrick, 13; and Devin, 11. As a professional, she is the sales marketing manager for ServiceMaster Professional Cleaning Services in Creston.

When it comes to the kitchen, Noe said she is a sucker for good Italian or Mexican food.

"I think my favorite type of food to prepare would have to be Italian," she said. "I love the smell of garlic as it cooks. We go through more garlic in my house than anything else."

Noe enjoys cooking, but there's some things she has learned not to do when it comes to preparing her meals, which includes lighting a gas stove.

"When I was about six months pregnant with my youngest son, we lived in an older home close to The College of Wooster," Noe said. "The stove in this home was an antique and had to be lit by match in order to use it. I was preparing dinner one evening and could not get the oven part to light. I probably tried 15 times with no success. Finally, as I was about to give up, the gas caught, and unfortunately there had been such a build up that flames shot out of the oven and burned off all of the hair on my right arm and even up my neck and face."

Haunted Wayne County will be presented at the Wooster Masonic Lodge on Oct. 19 and 20 at 7 p.m., and Oct. 21 at 2 p.m. Admission at the door is $8 per person. The event is not recommended for small children or those who are easily frightened.

For more information about WaCPAC, visit www.wacpac.org.

Living editor Lydia Gehring may be reached at 330-287-1655 or living@the-daily-record.com. She's lgehringTDR on Twitter.